i5, i7, or wait for sandy bridge

[Seromontis]

I have been looking at cpu's for the computer I plan to build and I can't decide between these three. I will have two gtx 460's in sli, and I'm wondering which is the best for gaming performance(fps). Is it worth it to wait for sandybridge, or should I buy in the next couple of weeks and buy a reliable i5/i7 rather than test the sandybridge out.

This computer is for gaming and will run at 1920*1080 in 64bit win 7.

 

[Axon]

Well, I don't recommend SLI, but it gets the job done. It's the heat that is usually the concern, particularly for the top card. Anyway, no GTX 460 1GB is substantially better than another, unless the clock speeds are set higher out of the package. I have an EVGA and I love it.

As to Sandybridge, Anand strongly hinted that it would be a very powerful chip. " As you’ll soon see, the performance improvements the CPU will offer across the board will make most anyone want to upgrade." http://www.anandtech.com/show/3871/the-sandy-bridge-preview-three-wins-in-a-row/2

Personally I would wait...if you can.

 

[ilkhan]

Even with SLI, unless you can't wait until January wait for Sandy.

 

[OCGuy]

SB will most likely be worth the wait if you plan on keeping it as your primary rig for 2+ years.

I personally am looking forward to it.

 

[Vette73]

Wait and also check out the new 6XXX cards from ATI.

 

[Highmodulus]

I thought the low end SB's were coming first, and the good stuff later in the year. Plus no discounts on SB goodies for a while. After shopping a bit, I found the i7's on the 1156 platform to be the best bang for my buck (the i5's may be even better). Spend the extra cash on an uber video card.

 

[ZipSpeed]

I buy during the 'tock' cycle, the transition period to the next platform. Costs are down and the product had sufficient time to get ironed out. I just picked up an i7 950 with an Asus Sabertooth x58. Next time I upgrade will be during the tock cycle for socket 2011.

 

[ilkhan]

s1155 is coming in January, the s2011 chips are H2'2010.

 

[Seromontis]

I buy during the 'tock' cycle, the transition period to the next platform. Costs are down and the product had sufficient time to get ironed out. I just picked up an i7 950 with an Asus Sabertooth x58. Next time I upgrade will be during the tock cycle for socket 2011.

Would you suggest getting an 17 system over an i5 system?
The difference in cost would be that the i7 costs $100 more when changing the motherboard, cpu, and ram. I would like to know if I would see a noticeable difference in gaming fps, and I hear the 1366 can handle sli better. Considering I will be buying 2 gtx 460's, I believe this should be taken into consideration.

I will be gaming at 1920*1080.

 

[ZipSpeed]

For gaming, the only reason for going 1366 is the full 16x/16x PCI-E lanes if you go multi-GPU. For 1156, with 8x/8x, you typically lose about 3-5% performance which is hardly noticeable. Myself, I went with a 1366 machine because I do a few things outside gaming. If all you're doing is gaming, you can't go wrong with a 1156 platform if you want to save some money.

 

[Peter Trend]

For gaming, the only reason for going 1366 is the full 16x/16x PCI-E lanes if you go multi-GPU.

Thanks for that tip ZipSpeed! I haven't done much i7 research yet, next box will be

 

[RussianSensation]

I have been looking at cpu's for the computer I plan to build and I can't decide between these three. I will have two gtx 460's in sli, and I'm wondering which is the best for gaming performance(fps).

SB is still about 2 months away. Are you OK waiting that long?

Skip 1366. Grab a Core i5 760 (maybe you have a Microcenter near you) and invest the difference into a faster graphics setup instead. The $100 may net you HD6870s in CF over GTX460s. That's $ better spent than going to an i7.

 

[WhoBeDaPlaya]

Skip 1366. Grab a Core i5 760 (maybe you have a Microcenter near you) and invest the difference into a faster graphics setup instead. The $100 may net you HD6870s in CF over GTX460s. That's $ better spent than going to an i7.

Why bother? Just pick up an i7 920 for $170 at MC and a "cheap" 1366 board (~$150).

 

[ilkhan]

Why bother? Just pick up an i7 920 for $170 at MC and a "cheap" 1366 board (~$150).

Because a 2500 is gonna be the same price with half a Ghz better base clock speed, far superior turbo, the smaller 32nm process, and probably overclock better.

If you really want to sacrafice all that for 32 PCI-E lanes, go ahead. But I wouldn't.

 

[nyker96]

If you waiting for Sandy, why not wait for Bulldozer too? Get more options.

 

[ilkhan]

llano is the upcoming APU, but its not BD. BD is gonna be competing with Ivy Bridge, not Sandy. Late Q3 at best, Q4 is more likely.

 

[Yreka]

So whats the deal with the integrated GPU, which I assume most ppl on here will be disabling anyway... Is this just the way things are going ie no CPU only equivilant ?

 

[WhoBeDaPlaya]

Because a 2500 is gonna be the same price with half a Ghz better base clock speed, far superior turbo, the smaller 32nm process, and probably overclock better.
If you really want to sacrafice all that for 32 PCI-E lanes, go ahead. But I wouldn't.

Fair enough. But you might want to look closer as RS was talking about the 1366 i7 vs. the i5

 

[Seromontis]

I decided to not wait and I will buying in the next two weeks, its either the i5-760 or the i7-930. The approximate difference in price is $100. Here are the comparison of parts:

i5-760 system
http://www.microcenter.com/single_pr...uct_id=0341729
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-601-_-Product
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231277

i7-930 system
http://www.microcenter.com/single_pr...uct_id=0331303
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-665-_-Product
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820227365

How much of a fps difference do you guys think I will see?

 

[crucibelle]

Seromontis - I couldn't find the exact CPU's you are considering, but here are benchmarks for an i5-750 vs an i7-920 (they are same speed). Looks like the i5 may actually be better for games: http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/109?vs=47

 

[ilkhan]

If theres a chance that you'll be upgrading next year, save the $100 and get the i5-760. It'll be worth a little less when you sell but costs less now and I expect it'll lose less in between.

 

[Seromontis]

Seromontis - I couldn't find the exact CPU's you are considering, but here are benchmarks for an i5-750 vs an i7-920 (they are same speed). Looks like the i5 may actually be better for games: http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/109?vs=47

Seems like the i-5 wins, thanks

 

[Patrick Wolf]

So whats the deal with the integrated GPU, which I assume most ppl on here will be disabling anyway... Is this just the way things are going ie no CPU only equivilant ?

Integrated graphics sounds great. If your main card suddenly dies you can still use your PC. Your mobo won't need integrated video nor will you require a backup video card. :thumbsup:

 

[Tequila]

Buy the i5-760 now, you won't be disappointed. The Sandy Bridge preview article shows a 12-18% improvement of the i5-2400 over the i5-760. Is it really worth waiting till next year for that? Skip SB, the i5-760 will hold you over till Ivy Bridge.

 

[crucibelle]

Seems like the i-5 wins, thanks

No problem. :thumbsup: